Problems associated with overpopulation. China has the
highest population in the world, encompassing 1.2 billion or twenty
one percent of the world's population (P.R.B. 7). China faces
serious social and economic problems associated with overpopulation
in the years to come. Overly populated regions lead to degradation
of land and resources, pollution, and detrimental living conditions.
The Chinese government has tried to find a solution to the problem
of increasing population with moderate success.

China's population control policy. The Chinese government
has used several methods to control population growth. In 1979,
China started the "one child per family policy" (Juali
Li 563). This policy stated that citizens must obtain a birth
certificate before the birth of their children. The citizens would
be offered special benefits if they agreed to have only one child.
Citizens who did have more than one child would either be taxed
an amount up to fifty percent of their income, or punished by
loss of employment or other benefits (Hilali 10). Furthermore,
unplanned pregnancies or pregnancies without the proper authorization
would need to be terminated (Hilali 9). In 1980, the birth-quota
system was established to monitor population growth(Jiali Li 563).
Under this system, the government set target goals for each region.
Local officials were mainly held responsible for making sure that
population growth totals did not exceed target goals. If target
goals were not met, the local officials were punished by law or
by loss of privileges.

Other population control methods. Other methods that
have been used by the Chinese government to restrict rising population
totals include birth control programs and economic changes. In
the early '80's, sterilization target goals were set and made
mandatory for people who had two children (Hilali 19). At its
peak in 1983, tubal ligations, vasectomies, and abortions amounted
to thirty-five percent of the total birth control methods (Hilali
20). In addition, the economy changed from primarily one of agriculture
to industry (Hilali 22). The government used this to its advantage;
spreading the view that economic growth would hinder population
growth (Hilali 22).

Problems associated with population policies. There
have been many problems associated with the policies and programs
established by Chinese officials. First of all, these programs
have been difficult to implement and have had little success.
Local officials in charge of growth totals, have falsified reports
in order to avoid punishment (Zeng Yi 29). Consequently, this
has led to underreporting of the number of births by as much as
twenty-seven percent in 1992 (Zeng Yi 32). Moreover, compliance
with the birth-quota system has been low. Of the 14,808 infants
born between 1980-1988, only about half have been with a legal
birth permit(Jiali Li 567). Of those born with a permit, eighty-eight
percent were first children born into families (Jiali Li 567).
Furthermore, out of the second children born, only eleven percent
were authorized (Jiali Li 568). Lastly, people of rural communities,
who depend on having larger families to help with the farms, have
succeeded in finding ways around the birth-quota system (Hilali
13).

Social and political consequences. The Chinese government
has also had to deal with political and social upheaval as a result
of its strict policies. The United States, as well as many other
countries, have publicly expressed their disapproval with Chinese
leaders for their sterilization policies (Hilali 20). In addition,
the Chinese citizens have retaliated with acts of violence related
to the one child policy (Hilali 25). Finally, the cultural preference
for sons has led to a large number of incidences of female infanticide
(Hilali 21). As a result, the Chinese government has had to relax
policies to include the "daughter-only-household" policy,
which allows rural couples having a daughter first to be allowed
to have a second child (Jiali Li 569).

Social and economic benefits. Over the last fifty years,
China has raised the standards of living by keeping growth rates
down. Access to natural resources have increased dramatically
since 1980. According to the State Family Planning Commission,
coverage in tap water has increased from eighty-four percent to
ninety-four percent in the last fifteen years. Furthermore, coverage
of natural gas has risen from sixteen percent to seventy-three
percent. In addition, medical coverage has been extended to include
birth insurance and workers compensation for mothers who follow
China's birth policies (SFPC). In 1998, nineteen percent of China's
population used this policy. Other benefits include increases
in average life expectancy from thirty five years in 1949 to seventy
years in 1996, and decreases in infant mortality rates from two
hundred per one thousand to thirty three per one thousand (SFPC).

Future outcomes. Serious reforms are needed to ensure
that China's population will not continue to grow. Better policies,
more education, and urbanization could help China to reach population
target goals. Since 1980, China has realized the importance of
collaboration among agencies, and it has established the Population
and Information Research Center (SFPC). This agency, along with
others, is in charge of gathering information about population
totals and helping the government to implement policies (SFPC).
Projected growth of China's population is estimated to be around
1.5 billion by the year 2025 (P.R.B. 7). These figures will continue
to rise, and the social and economic burdens will continue to
plague everyone living in China.

Questions for debate: How does the theory of logistic
population apply to overly populated regions? Explain the political
implications associated with overpopulation. Differentiate the
pros and cons of mandatory birth control and sterilization tactics.